Kim Dotcom continued to cast a long shadow over the Government yesterday as his case dominated Parliament's Question Time.

Prime Minister John Key was forced to amend his earlier answers about when he first learned about the Government Communications Security Bureau's role in the operation to arrest Dotcom.

Mr Key said he was first told on September 17 - but it later emerged he was told during a February 29 briefing, although he does not remember the reference.

Yesterday was his first opportunity to make a personal statement to clarify that.

"My answers to questions were based on recollection at the time, and there was no intention to mislead the House," he said.

The GCSB discovered last month it had unlawfully spied on Dotcom. But Mr Key is still refusing to reveal if Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae - a former director of the GCSB - was in charge during any of three further episodes which may have been unlawful.

Green Party co-leader Russel Norman said that had "thrown a question mark over the governor-general's role at the Government Communications Security Bureau".

He wants an independent inquiry "to clear up the mess under his watch, and also to clear Sir Jerry's name".

Sir Jerry's spokesman, Antony Paltridge, said he would not comment "on these matters".